(EDEN, NEW YORK) – Anyone who knew Earl Frampton was very familiar with how he dug in when it came to Unions and their Members - nothing was too good for them, he believed, and they needed to be given what they deserved - both at work and in retirement.

In fact, he was always ready to give you his two cents on any issue or stance you supported or took - and while he may have ruffled a feather or two (or three or four or more most likely), his “stubborn” attitude won him many supporters and made him many friends over the years.

And the former Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1115 President - who later became Executive Director for the Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF) in the early 2000s, became even more well known (maybe even a bit more legendary) for what he personally did to help bring about in the local communities where Union Workers lived and raised their families as Labor Liaison for the United Way of Greater Niagara and at one time, its two other United Ways in Eastern Niagara and the Tonawandas.

If it was heading out of his home to call CWA Leaders, such as National President Morty Bahr at a pay phone to update him on contract negotiations with New York Telephone back in 1971 - because he was fearful his home phone had been bugged by management, to religiously calling and stopping in to talk to or see Leadership at their Union Halls to impart some wisdom and encouragement, that was all Earl Frampton, leaving a legacy that many in the local Labor Movement took time to remember since his passing last week at the age of 86.

Those Leaders WNYLaborToday.com interviewed about Frampton remembered him for his dogged efforts on behalf of both Organized Labor and the Western New York Community:

Richard Lipsitz (Pictured Below With Frampton), former President of the WNYALF, said: “I knew him ‘very well.’  ‘What a wonderful’ Labor Advocate and Brother ‘he was.’   ‘He could be a stubborn mule on principles, but it was hard not to like him.’  He was ‘old-fashioned and told you exactly what he thought.  ‘He didn’t pull any punches whatsoever.’  He ‘fully understood the issues and he fought against those that would devastate’ Unions and their Members.  ‘He was as successful and honest as the day was long.’  He was’ so honorable - in the very best sense of the word’ and he ‘kept his word - always.’  ‘But he was a very sweet and kind man.’  ‘He would give you the shirt off his back.’  ‘He will be missed.’”

Niagara Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council President and United Steelworkers (USW) District 4 Sub-District Director Jim Briggs: “Earl ‘defined the picture of how Unions are liked in the community.’  He was ‘dead serious about his commitment to Labor and the Community - (110%).’  He ‘lived, beathed and supported Labor in his community.’  ‘He would fight for Unions and their Members and then flip the switch’ and be a Community Activist.  One time, ‘there was a problem’ with had with a local company and I told him there would be ‘no’ (United Way) Campaign ‘there that year’.  Earl told me: ‘Jim, you’re a smart guy, but you’re making a bad decision.’  ‘In hindsight, Earl was right.’  ‘We have our own issues when it comes to management, but we have a commitment to our communities.’  ‘He called me out, but he didn’t care.’  ‘We both started laughing.’”

Former United Way of Greater Niagara Labor Liaison Bill Jakobi (Pictured Below, On The Left, With Frampton), who succeeded Frampton in the position: “I knew him for more than (20) years.  ‘He was my friend and mentor.’  I had the chance to see him a couple of weeks ago for lunch.  He told me ‘the end was coming.’  He was a ‘solid’ Union Advocate ‘and he’ll be most remembered for helping so many people in the community and making sure Unions were recognized for what they did in the community.’  ‘And he always told it like it was.’  ‘He was passionate in his belief in the Labor Movement.’  He was ‘very humbled’ when we named the Niagara Labor Council’s Annual Community Services Award ‘in his name.’  ‘I will never forget the role he played in helping create the Council’s Workers’ Memorial too.’  ‘If you talked to people in the Labor Movement, they knew who’ Earl Frampton ‘was.’  He gave people ‘a different perspective.’  He told me to ‘keep going.’”

I could list the many accomplishments on Frampton’s Labor resume here, but they are so long and storied that WNYLaborToday.com has opted to include them in this story in snapshot photos that were provided by his Daughters: Lisa and Lorraine (Pictured Below With Their Dad - Lisa on the Left), who fondly remember growing up in their Father’s Union Family - from listening to contract negotiation conversations to walking on picket lines with their Dad to molding them into advocates for Working People as they grew up.

Lisa, who became a Union Member with the CWA and went on to rise in the ranks as Vice President North with Local 1122, describes herself as a “Union Chick” who - when introduced, drew the reaction: “That’s Earl Frampton’s Daughter.”

She told WNYLaborToday.com that Frampton had lost his Dad at the age of just 10 and took on a greater role in helping provide for his family with a paper route and helping his Mother wallpaper local residences. 

“Sometimes ‘he didn’t go to school so he could work with his Mother.’  He was ‘an incredible’ guy,” she said.  “You ‘either loved Dad or you didn’t, but he had such a passion for what he stood for - small’ people.  ‘He went head-to-head with a lot of people over them.’  My Sister and I ‘were raised as Union Brats.’  I remember so many Labor Leaders calling the house, including Morty Bahr.  ‘He taught us to be honest, speak your mind, work hard and fight for what was right - fight for the Middle Class.’  We asked him near the end what he wanted to be remembered for.  He said: ‘Being a kind person that was helpful and community minded.”

Sister Lorraine agreed: “His legacy will be for his community service ‘and for standing his ground for what he believed in.’  Dad ‘was responsible for fighting for health care of CWA Members and Retirees.’  ‘He always hung in there until he got things done.’  ‘He always reached out and chatted with’ local Union Leaders.  He ‘never wanted to give up his Union World.’  He was ‘all about action and he meant it.’  He was a Social Activist and one of the CWA’s ‘first’ Organizers.”

Earl’s wife, Jeanne (Pictured Below With Earl) - who many considered them inseparable and who was always at his side at any Union event or gathering over the years, passed away three years ago.

Now, Lisa says: “They are together.”

Former CWA Local 1122 President John Mudie said of Frampton: “He would always visit me.  He was ‘persistent, no doubt about it.’  He was ‘very knowledgeable.’  He was ‘very upset when our Retirees had to pay more for their health care.’  ‘We couldn’t do anything about it - legally, but he always took the time to make his point.’  He ‘never held back and always spoke his word.’  He ‘always stood up for people, but he was compassionate and very family oriented.’  ‘It seemed like everybody came first but Earl.’  He ‘always complimented me and encouraged me.’  He ‘touched a lot of people because he was just that kind of guy.’”

Current CWA Local 1122 President Tom Antonio added: “He would call me monthly ‘to check in to tell us what we were doing right and doing wrong, but he never yelled.’  ‘He did it in an appreciative way.’  I’ve ‘been fortunate in my’ Union career ‘that a lot of people have taken a liking to me and Earl was one of them.’  ‘It sounds dramatic’, but I am President ‘because of all of them.’  He would ‘always call in the middle (of a battle with management) to tell me not to forget about our Retirees.’  ‘But as good as a Union Member he was, he loved his family more than ever - that was his life.’  He was ‘top notch.’  ‘And he received every award you could ever imagine.’”

On a final note, Earl would always send WNYLaborToday.com his Two Cents columns where he expanded on a variety of issues and what they meant to Working People.

I was more than proud to publish them over the years because they came from a man whose heart was bigger than his stature when it came to fighting for the rights of Working People. 

I’m sure now that Earl is looking down at us all, reunited with his beloved Jeanne, pulling for all those who lead Labor in their fight to better the lives of those Workers whom they represent.

And, I’d betcha, he still would love to offer his two cents on what is going on.

I, like so many others, will miss that.

Godspeed Earl and Thank You for a job more than well done.

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Earl’s Wake will be held today (Monday, October 14th) from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Laing Funeral Home at 2724 West Church Street in Eden.  A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday (October 15th) at 10 a.m. at the Eden United Methodist Church.

Photos Provided By The Frampton Family & The United Way Of Greater Niagara.